Port of Hamburg

Background

The Port of Hamburg lies on the Elbe in Hamburg, Germany, about 110 kilometres from the river's mouth on the North Sea; it is Germany's largest seaport by volume and an open tidal port. Quays, warehouses and transshipment facilities line the Elbe; the port's birthday celebration on the first weekend of May each year is one of Hamburg's biggest public events. By tradition, the port dates from 7 May 1189, when it was opened by Frederick I. In the Hanseatic era, from the 13th to the 16th century, Hamburg ranked second only to Lübeck among trading ports; a free port was established in 1888 and abolished in 2013. The Speicherstadt, built in stages from 1883 to 1927, is the largest warehouse district in the world and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2015 together with the Kontorhaus District and Chilehaus. In HafenCity, the Elbphilharmonie, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and built on top of an old warehouse, opened on 11 January 2017; at 108 metres it is Hamburg's tallest inhabited building, and its public viewing platform, the Plaza, on the 8th floor looks out over the port.

Local customs

• Take a harbour cruise to see the container terminals, shipyards and the Speicherstadt
• during the port's birthday, watch the tugboat "ballet" and the fireworks
• go up to the Elbphilharmonie's Plaza to watch ships coming and going on the Elbe.

Travel tips

• Harbour cruise timetables and fares are subject to the cruise companies' official websites
• the port's birthday draws big crowds, so book accommodation in advance
• opening and booking for the Elbphilharmonie Plaza are subject to the official website.
• Hamburg's metro and buses reach the port area, and most harbour cruises leave from around the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken piers. You can visit all year round
• the port's birthday in May is the liveliest time
• summer suits harbour cruises, while winter winds are strong, so dress warmly.